Author’s Note

Long ago, ships sailed from Europe, bringing families to settle the great wilderness that was America. The land was broken up into pieces called colonies. On the east coast, thirteen colonies belonged to England. But little by little, the people in these colonies became unhappy with the way they were treated by the English king. They thought the taxes they were asked to pay were unfair. They thought they should be allowed to make their own laws. Some even thought the colonies should break away from England and become a separate country.

On April 17, 1775, a large force of British soldiers met a small group of colonists at the village of Lexington, Massachusetts. Somehow, shots were fired and eight Americans were killed. The American Revolution had begun. Soon George Washington was chosen to lead the American army. And on July 4, 1776, men from all thirteen colonies met to sign a Declaration of Independence, telling England that they were now a free and independent country.

Before the war Fairfield, Connecticut, was one of the largest and richest towns in the colonies. It had a good harbor for shipping and good soil for farming. When the fighting began, young men from Fairfield marched off to Boston to help out. Farmers began growing extra grain, and women made tents, blankets, and clothing for the army. Then, in the summer of 1776, the war came much closer. The British army captured nearby New York City and Long Island.

Now the sails of enemy ships were often seen offshore. Small boats came across Long Island Sound in the dark of night to steal food and burn mills. Fairfield added more cannons to its small fort and more men to keep watch at night. But the British raids continued. In the spring of 1777, when Hannah’s story takes place, Fairfield lived in constant fear of attack.

During the time of the Revolution, daily life was filled with hard work. Almost everything a family needed they made themselves. Along with any other job they might have, all the men were farmers. They raised corn and wheat for food, cows for milk and meat, sheep for wool, flax to spin into linen. The women kept a vegetable garden to feed the family. They made all the clothing, as well as soap, candles, butter, cheese, and other things needed in the house. The children helped with the chores, both inside and out in the fields.

Cooking in colonial times was much different than it is today. Preparing a meal could take hours. Most dinners were stews cooked in large iron pots over an open fire. Baking was done in brick ovens that had to be heated for several hours before the bread or pies could be put in. Still, the colonists made delicious foods. Here is a recipe for Bird’s Nest Pudding that you can try. It has been changed to suit a modern kitchen. Be sure to have an adult help you.

3 T water
2 T flour
½ cup raisins
4 firm apples, peeled,
cored, and cut in half
½ cup sugar
½ cup butter, softened
2 eggs
pinch of salt
⅛ tsp nutmeg
1 T melted butter

Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix flour and water to make a paste and brush on hollowed core of apples. Place raisins in paste on top of apples. Put apples in buttered nine-inch pie plate. Beat butter and sugar together. Add eggs (one at a time), salt, and nutmeg. Whip until light and fluffy. Pour mixture into a pot and heat very slowly on stove (if you heat too fast, eggs will scramble). Stir constantly until sugar dissolves and mixture is smooth and thick. Remove from heat and cool. Pour egg mixture around apples and brush with melted butter. Bake 45 minutes or until custard is just set. Makes 8 servings.